Boat propelling apparatus



June 14, 1960 w. HORN BOAT PROPELLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 2, 1958 INVENT OR. Thurman W Ham ijnited States Patent BOAT PROPELLING APPARATUS Thurman W. Horn, Cahometer Inc., P.0. Box 671, Anniston, Ala.

Filed Oct. 2, 1958, Ser. No. 764,801

14 Claims. (Cl. 74-165) This invention relates to boat propelling apparatus an more particularly to manually operated apparatus which is adapted for use in lakes and streams where the use of gasoline power is either prohibited or is undesirable because of excessive noise.

Another object of my invention is to provide manually operated boat propelling apparatus which may be operated entirely by one hand, to propel, steer and reverse the direction of movement of the boat, thus particularly adapting the apparatus for use in fly fishing, bait casting and the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide boat propelling apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which may be installed on conventional type boats.

Heretofore in the art to which my invention relates, various forms of boat propelling apparatus have been proposed, however, so far as I am aware, such apparatus has required the use of both hands to propel and steer the apparatus. In accordance with my invention, 1 propel, steer and reverse the direction of movement of the boat by manipulating a single actuating member, thus freeing the other hand of the operator for use in casting or the like.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmental view showing the manner in which the cams and cam operating member operate; and,

Fig. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show a clamp which is adapted to be mounted on a conventional type transom of a row boat. Pivotally connected to the bracket 10 by means of a wing nut 11 is a bearing bracket 12 having a generally vertically extending sleeve member 13 secured thereto.

Telescoping within the sleeve member .13 is an elongated housing 14. Longitudinal movement of the housing 14 relative to the sleeve 13 is limited by upper and lower collars 16 and 17, respectively. The collars 16 and 17 are secured to the housing 14 at selected positions by suitable clamping screws 18 and 19, respectively, whereby the apparatus is adapted for use with boats having transoms of various heights.

The housing 14 is preferably cylindrical in shape and the upper and lower ends thereof are closed by suitable cover members 21' and 22, respectively. A centrally disposed threaded opening 23 is provided in the cover member 21 for receiving a threaded member 24 which carries a depending bracket 26 that is of a substantially inverted U-shape. Mounted for rotation between the legs iceof the depending bracket 26 is a rotary member 27 which may be in the form of a sprocket, pulley or the like. By rotating the cover member 21 relative to the threaded member 24, the longitudinal position of the bracket 26 relative to the housing 14 may be adjusted.

Extending transversely through the lower end of the housing 14 is a shaft 28 which is mounted for rotation suitable bearings 29 and 31, as shown in Fig. 1. The shaft 28 extends outwardly of the bearing 29 and a suitable packing or seal 32 is provided between the shaft 28 and the outer portion of the bearing 29. Secured to the shaft 28 outwardly of the bearing 29 is a relatively large propeller blade 33.

Keyed to the shaft 28 within the housing 14 is a lower rotary member 34, which may be in the form of a sprocket, pulley or the like. Passing around the rotary members 27 and 34 is an endless flexible member 36. In the drawings, the flexible member 36 is shown as being in the form of a sprocket chain which passes over rotary members 27 and 34 which are in the form of sprockets. However, it will be apparent that pulleys could be substituted for the sprockets 27 and 34 and a V-belt or the like could be substituted for the sprocket chain 36.

Mounted for longitudinal sliding movement within the housing 14 is a movable member 37 which may be in the form of a suitable plate which slidably engages the inner walls of the housing 14. Mounted for rotation adjacent the upper and lower ends of the movable member 37 are upper and lower cams 38 and 39, respectively, which fit between the flights of chain 36 and in closely spaced relation thereto when in inoperable position.

Extending through a suitable opening in the movable member 37 and adapted for sliding movement relative thereto is an elongated actuating member 41. Diametrically opposed openings 42 and 43 are provided in the walls of the housing 14 for receiving the actuating member 41, whereby the actuating member is adapted for tree vertical movement relative to the housing 14. Secured to and extending outwardly from the housing 14 is a bracket 44. Pivotally connected to the outer end of the bracket 44 by means of a pivot pin 46 is a block or sleeve member 47 having an axially extending opening 41% therein for receiving the adjacent end of the actuating member 41, thereby providing a slide-block connection between the pivot pin 46 and the actuating member 41. Preferably, the bracket 44 is in the form of a housing which completely encases the adjacent end of the actuating member 41 and the opening 42 in the housing 14. The opening 43 in the housing is closed by an arcuate plate 49 which slidably engages the outer surface of the housing 14. The arcuate plate 49 is urged into engagement with the housing 14 by means of a compression spring 51 which is interposed between the arcuate plate and a spring abouttnent 52 carried by the actuating member 41. The actuating member 41 is urged into engagement with the opening 48 in the block 47 by means of a compression spring 53 which is interposed between the housing 14 and a spring abutment 54- carried by the actuating member, as shown in Fig. l.

The eccentric cam 38 is provided with angularly spaced detents 56 and 57 and the eccentric cam 39 is provided with angularly spaced detents 58 and 59, as shown in Fig. 2. While I have shown the detents as projecting outwardly of the cams 38 and 39, it will be apparent that recesses could be formed in the cams to define the detents. Extending through a suitable opening in the actuating member 41 and secured to the actuating member by means of a pin 61 is a cam operating member 62 which may be in the form of an elongated blade. Op posite ends of the cam operating member 62 are positioned between the angularly spaced detents on the cam members whereby upon rotation of the actuating mem- 7 t 3 her 41, the cams 38 and 39 rotate in the same direction. As shown in Fig. 3, the earns 38 and 39 are rotatably mounted on the movable member 37 by suitable pins 63 and 64, respectively. Pivotal movement of the cam operating member 62 is limited by'upper and lowerstop pins'66'and 67, respectively. The cam operating member 62 is urged into engagement with the earns 38 and 39 by spring loaded balls 68 which are positioned between the stop pins 66 and 67, as shown in Fig. 3. The balls 68 are urged outwardly toward the cam operating member 62 by compression springs 69, as shown in Fig 4. That is, the balls 68 are positioned centrally of theextreme pivoted positions of the cam operating member '62, as shown in solid and dotted lines in Fig. 3, whereby upon passing dead center the balls 68 urge the cam operating member 62 into engagement with the cams 38 and 39, thereby preventing accidental movement of the cam operating member 62 from the dotted line position a to the solid line position shown in Fig. 3 and vice versa.

A suitable operating handle 71 is mountedadjacent the end of the actuating member 41 opposite the pivot pin 46 whereby the actuating member may be pivoted about the pivot pin 46. A rudder and Weed guard 72 may be secured to the lower forward portion of the housing 14, as shown in Fig. lIJAlso, asuitable carrying handle 73 may be attached to the housing 14, as shown.

Fromthe foregoing description, the "operation of my improved shaft propelling apparatus will be readily un- .derstood. To propel the boat forward, the actuating .membcr 41 is'rotated in a clockwise position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, whereupon the cam operating member 62 engages the detents 57 and 58 torotate both ofthe earns 38 and 39 in a counter-clockwise direction.

As the'actuating member 41 is moved downward, the

right-hand flightof the sprocket'chain' 36 as viewed in Fig. 2, or the flight thereof adjacent the detent 59 is clamped between'the housing 14 and the eccentric cam 39, thus causing this flight of the chain to move down- .ward in the direction of movement of the movable member 37 and actuating member 41. Upon upward movement of the actuating member 41, with the actuating member rotated. in a clockwise direction, the other flight of the socketchain or the flight thereof adjacent'the detent 56 is clamped between the cam 38 and the wall of the housing 14 whereupon this flight of the chain is moved upwardly in the direction of movement of the movable member 37 "and thevactuating member 41.

frotated and actuated by movement of member 41, exerts force against only one of the cams38 and 39 at one time.

fThatis, theopening through the movable member 37 engagesthe adjacent flight of chain 36. The other cam against which no force is applied rotates freely out of engagement with chain 36. For example, with the operating member 62 in the solid line position shown in Fig. 3, upon downward movement of member 37 and member a 41 j-the member 62 engages the detent 59 which is ad'- jace'n't the right hand flight of chain 36. Thecam 39 thus rotates inaclockwise direction forcing it against the left hand flight of chain'36 due to the fact that the -cariris mounted eccentrically on its pin. Accordingly, as

"cam 39 rotates in a clockwise direction the detent 59falso 'rotateslin a clockwise direction whereby it moves away detent 56 carried by cam 38. 'I'he operating member 62 thus moves with detent 59 and releases pressure It is to be' understood that cam operating member 62, Which'is on detent 56 whereby cam 38 is free to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction out of engagement with the right hand flight of chain 36. This counter-clockwise rotation of cam 38 is aided by the upward movement of the right hand flight of chain 36, as viewed in Fig. 3. it will be noted that Fig. 3 showsthe cam operating member 62 as being rotated to solid line and dotted line positions by rotating th'e actuating member 41. This is the position of the member 62 and cams 38 and 39 prior to applying downward or upward-pressure to theactuating member 4 1. That is, upon exerting downward or upward pressure on member 41, the cams rotate whereby one cam is rotated by member 62 into engagement with one flight of the chain and theother cam is free'to' ro- 'ventional type boats.

tate out of engagement with the other flight of the chain. Continued pivotal movement of the actuating member 41, with the actuating member rotated in a clockwise direction, causes the movable member 37 to reciprocate within the housing 14, thereby imparting continuous r0- tary motion to the rotary members 27 and 34 and the shaft 28 to propel the boat in a forward direction.

To reverse'the direction of rotation of the 'shaft 28,

the actuating member 41 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as shown in solid lines in Figs. 2 and 3. With the cam operating member 62in this position, downward movement of the actuating member 41,. causes the 4 1, with the actuatingmember rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, causes theother of the chain 36hr the flight thereof adjacent the detent 57 to be engaged by the cam 38, thereby clamping'this flight. of the chain between the cam 38 and the housing 14 and'causingthe same to move upwardly with the movable member :37 and the actuating member 41. Continued reciprocatory motion of the movable member. 37 by the actuating member 41, with the actuating member rotated in acounterclockwise direction causes the chain 36 to rotate the rotary members 27 and 34, together with the shaft 28 in a reverse direction. vIn other words, movement of the movable member 37 in one direction moves one cam into engagement with one flight of the flexiblemember' to move the same in'the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite directionmoves the othercam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable memben In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that-I have devised improved shaft propelling apparatus which is light in construction and which may be used with con- By imparting continuous rotary motion to the shaft 28 by reciprocating the. actuating and the direction of movement reversed by the use of one hand of the operator. In actual practice, I have found that with apparatus constructed in accordance with 'my invention, three or four strokes a minute provides suflicient boat movementfor fly fishing, bait casting and the like:

While I have shown invention in but-one form, it

will be obvious tothose skilled inthe: art-that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from Ithe spirit'thereof,

and Idesire, therefore, that only such limitations .shall. be placed thereupon as are specifically 'setforth in the appended claims. WhatIclaimisi 1. Shaftpropelling apparams'compri'sing an elongated g, rota y members mounted for rotation within g said housing adjacent opposite ends thereof, means operatively connecting one of said rotary members to a shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, cams spaced longitudinally of said housing and mounted for rotation on said movable member, a cam operating member mounted for pivotal movement between said cams in position for opposite ends thereof to engage and rotate said cams in the same direction upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member, whereby movement of the movable member in one direction moves one cam into engagement with one flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite direction moves the other cam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member, said cams being disposed to move in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member in opposite directions .whereby the direction of movement of the flexible member may be reversed, and means to reciprocate said movable member within said housing.

2. Shaft propelling apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the means to reciprocate the movable member comprises an actuating member operatively connected to the movable member and extending outwardly of said housing, there being a longitudinally extending opening through said housing for receiving said actuating member.

3. Shaft propelling apparatus comprising an elongated housing, a first rotary member mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent one end thereof, a laterally extending shaft mounted for rotation adjacent the other end of said housing with a portion of said shaft extending within said housing, a second rotary member within said housing and secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, an endless flexible member passing around said first and second rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, cams spaced longitudinally of said housing and mounted for rotation on said movable member, a cam operating member mounted for pivotal movement between said cams in position for opposite ends thereof to engage and rotate said cams in the same direction upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member, whereby movement of the movable member in one direction moves one cam into engagement with one flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite direction moves the other cam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member, said cams being disposed to move in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member in opposite directions, whereby the direction of movement of the flexible member may be reversed, and means to reciprocate said movable member within said housing.

4. Shaft propelling apparatus comprising an elongated housing, rotary members mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent opposite ends thereof, means operatively connecting one of said rotary members to a shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, an elongated actuating member operatively connected intermediate its ends to said movable member and extending outwardly of said housing, means pivotally connecting one end of said actuating member to said housing whereby the movable member is reciprocated longitudinally of said housing upon pivotal movement of said actuating member, cams spaced longitudinally of said housing and mounted for rotation on said movable member, and a cam operating member operatively connected to said actuating member for pivotal movement between said cams in position for opposite ends thereof to engage and rotate said cams in the same direction upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member whereby movement of the movable member in one direction moves one cam into engagement with one flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite direction moves the other cam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member, said cams disposed to move in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member in opposite directions whereby the direction of movement of the flexible member may be reversed.

5. Shaft propelling apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which the movable member is provided with an opening therethrough for receiving said actuating member with a sliding fit whereby reciprocatory motion is imparted to said movable member upon pivotal movement of said actuating member.

6. Shaft propelling apparatus comprising an elongated housing, rotary members mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent opposite ends thereof, means operatively connecting one of said rotary members to a shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary m mbers, a movable member adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, eccentric cams spaced longitudinally of said housing and mounted for rotation on said movable member, angul-arly spaced detents carried by each eccentric cam, a cam operating member mounted for pivotal movement between said cams in position for opposite ends thereof to engage said cams between the detents thereon and rotate said cams in the same direction upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member whereby movement of the movable member in one direction moves one cam into engagement with one flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite direction moves the other cam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member, said cams being disposed to move in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member in opposite directions whereby the direction of movement of the flexible member may be reversed, and means to reciprocate said movable member within said housing.

7. Shaft propelling apparatus as defined in claim 6 in which the detents project outwardly of the cams.

8. Boat shaft propelling apparatus comprising a generally vertically extending housing, a boat engaging bracket supporting said housing for rotation in a generally horizontal plane, rotary members mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, means operatively connecting the rotary member adjacent the lower end of said housing to a shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, cams spaced longitudinally of said housing and mounted for rotation on said movable member, an elongated actuating member operatively connected to said movable member for rotation relative thereto and extending outwardly of said housing, means pivotally supporting one end of said actuating member whereby the movable member is reciprocated in response to pivotal movement of said actuating member, and a cam operating member secured to said actuating member between said cams in position for opposite ends thereof to engage and rotate said cams in the same direction upon rotation of said actuating member whereby movement of the movable member in one direction moves one cam into engagement with one flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite direction moves the other cam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member, said cams being disposed to move in opposite directions upon rotation of said actuating member in opposite directions whereby the direction of movement of 'the flexible member may be reversed.

9. Boat shaft propelling apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the portion of theboat engaging bracket which engages the housing comprises a sleeve member surrounding said housing, and means limiting longitudinal movement of said sleeve relative to said housing.

10, Boat shaft propelling apparatus as defined in claim 8 in which the means pivotally supporting one end of the actuating member comprises a bracket secured to and V projecting outwardly from said housing.

ll. Shaft propelling apparatus comprising an elongated housing, rotating members mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent opposite ends thereof, means operatively connecting one of said rotary members to a shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinal movement within said housing, cams spaced longitudinally of said housing and mounted for rotation on said movable member, an elongated cam operating member mounted for pivotal movement between said cams in position for opposite ends thereof to engage and rotate said cams in the same direction upon pivotal movein the opposite direction moves the other cam into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the mov able member, said cams being disposed to; move in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of said cam operating member in opposite directions whereby the direction of movement of the flexible member may be reversed, means limiting pivotal movement of said. cam operating member, resilient means urging said cam operating member into engagement with said cams, and means to reciprocate said movable member within 'said housing. i

12$ Shaft propelling apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which the resilient means urging the cam operating member into engagement with the cams comprises a spring loaded ball interposed betweensatid cam operating member and said movable member. V t

13. Shaft propelling apparatus comprising an elongated f housing, rotary members mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent opposite ends thereof, means operatively connecting one of said rotary members toa shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinally reciprocatory movement within said housing, a pair of drive members spaced longitudinally of said housing'and mounted for rotation on saidmovable member between flights of said endless member and adapted to engage said endless member in driving relation, an operating member mounted for pivotal movement betweensaid drive members, means connecting opposite ends of said operating member to said drive members in position to rotate the drive members upon pivotal movement of said operating member, whereby movement of the movable member in one direction moves one drive'member into engagement with one fiight'of the flexible member to movethe same in the direction of movement of the movable member and movement of the movable member in the opposite direction moves the other drive member into engagement with the other flight of the flexible member to move the same in the direction of movement of the movable member, said drive members being disposed to move in opposite directions upon pivotal movement of said operating membe'r in opposite directions whereby the direction of movement of the flexible'member may be reversed, and means to reciprocate said-movable member within said housing. V t

l4. Shaft'propelling apparatus. comprising an elongated housing, rotary members mounted for rotation within said housing adjacent opposite 'ends thereof, means operatively connecting one of :said rotary members to a shaft, an endless flexible member passing around said rotary members, a movable member adapted for longitudinal reciprocatory movement within said hou'sing, a pair of drive members spaced longitudinally of said hous ing and mounted for rotation on said movable member between flights 'of said endless member and adapted to engage said endless member in driving relation, an operating member mounted between said drive members and operatively connected to said drive members and said movable member for rotating said drive members, selectively, a manually reciprocable lever operatively connected to said movable member for reciprocation thereof, the reciprocation of said lever in one direction moving said operating member into engagement with one of the driving members for rotating the same and the reciprocation of said lever in an opposite direction moving said operating member into engagement with the other of the driving members for rotating the same whereby said flexible member is driven upon rotation of said driving members.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain s t. 9, 1943 

